ANFP permits Vozinha to wear nickname on Colo Colo shirt
On 2026-08-05 the Chilean Football Federation (ANFP) granted an exemption allowing Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha to display his nickname on his Colo Colo playing shirt.
Under Chilean league regulations players are generally required to use their legal names on shirts, with the ANFP rule stating "nicknames, appellations or sobriquets will not be permitted"; Vozinha would otherwise have been obliged to appear as Josimar Jose Evora Dias. The moniker he uses professionally translates as "granny" in Portuguese and, according to the club, Colo Colo successfully secured permission for him to use it.
The 40-year-old shot to international prominence at the World Cup, keeping a clean sheet on his debut against eventual champions Spain and helping Cape Verde secure their first-ever World Cup point in the group stage. He went on to play in the knockout stages, taking eventual finalists Argentina to extra time in the last 32, and was named in Fifa's team of the tournament. A newly discovered species of sea slug has also been named after him.
Vozinha's social media following surged from about 50,000 Instagram followers to nearly 30 million after his World Cup performances. He arrived in Santiago on Sunday to a lively reception from Colo Colo's fans and joined his new team-mates in training two days later.
His club career has included spells in Slovakia, Angola, Moldova, Cyprus and, most recently, Portuguese second division side Chaves. "It is the name I have used my entire life," Vozihna said in a news conference. "In Cape Verde, it holds great significance and a rich history, and now it does globally as well. "If my grandmother were alive today, I think she would be proud. I hope to keep using it for the rest of my career as a tribute."
Colo Colo is the most successful team in the Primera Division with 34 titles and has won the Copa Chile 14 times. "The decision was very clear. Despite playing in smaller leagues for clubs that weren't exactly giants, deep down I always told myself I was a 'big club' player," Vozinha said. "So when Colo Colo came calling, there was no doubt. From day one, I knew where I wanted to play. I received many offers but Colo Colo was always the priority. "The World Cup was the best thing that ever happened to me in football, but that is in the past now. Being here representing Colo Colo - a massive club with a rich history - is the highlight of my club career."
Vozinha signed a six-month contract with Colo Colo on Monday, a move that follows his World Cup breakout and the ANFP's approval for him to wear his nickname on the club shirt.